Branson Radio: Steve Willoughby Exits KRZK-FM

Steve and Janet

Local radio personality Steve Willoughby was surrounded by friends, family and co-workers Friday morning as he stepped away from the microphone for the final time after 22 years hosting the “Steve and Janet in the Morning” on KRZK 106.3 FM alongside his partner Janet Ellis.

He's exiting the station for a new business venture/

“It started to (sink in) last night,” he told bransontrilakesnews.com on Friday morning. “The six (a group of friends including Willoughby and his wife) got together and reminisced and I started thinking about it. I got up early this morning and took it all in. I feel very confident in my decision, and I feel very confident in what Janet is going to do moving forward.

An employee at Earl’s Family Broadcasting since 1986, Willoughby did the morning show with “The Lady Outlaw” Jessica James. After realizing there was a fundamental difference between the two personalities, James left the show.

The station decided they wanted to keep the show going with Willoughby and began looking for a replacement.

Enter Ellis, who was hired in July of 1994. The chemistry was almost immediate, and the show was a hit. Willoughby said the show was able to remain a staple of the community for 22 years thanks to achieving true parity.

The duo worked together for more than two decades using the “good cop, bad cop,” or “babyface, heel” characters.

“I thought we were successful and able to stay on the air for all those years because I lost my sense of smell in April of 1994, and my sense of taste about two months later,” Ellis laughed. “After that, it was easy to fit in with Willoughby’s lifestyle.”

Ellis will return to the air chair for “Janet and Friends” one week from Monday, while Willoughby will continue working on his new business venture, the aptly named Speaking of Willoughby.